It’s not well known, it’s not well-signed, and it’s down a dirt road in rural Kansas. Still, Monument Rocks National Natural Landmark is well worth the visit if you’re travel down I-70 through western Kansas. The “Chalk Pyramids”, as they’re…
Kayaking the Erie Canal – Pittsford to I-390
Growing up within 30 minutes or so of the Erie Canal, I’m surprised we didn’t walk on the canal path more often. We have done at least two bike rides on the canal path (one from Rochester to Fairport and…
Irondequoit Lakeside Multi-Use Trail
The Irondequoit Lakeside Multi-use Trail stretches from the mouth of Irondequoit Bay nearly all the way to the Genesee River. It’s paved the whole way, and parts actually offer views of the lake (other parts are residential sidewalks). There are…
Swiftcurrent Lookout – So Long a Hike, So Worth It!
I’m pretty much convinced that the Swiftcurrent Pass Trail to Swiftcurrent Peak is one of the most, if not the most, spectacular hike in Glacier National Park. (And yes, it might very well beat out the Highline Trail – at…
Genesee Valley Greenway – Oakland to Letchworth
How about a peaceful bike ride on an old railroad bed? What about one that also follows an old canal, complete with crumbling locks? And then how about that same rails-to-trails ending you up in one of the most scenic…
The Waterfalls of Letchworth Gorge!
Letchworth State Park is, to me, one of the best attractions in Western New York (excluding Niagara Falls of course!) Not only do you get views of three impressive waterfalls, but there are also numerous options for hiking, scenic drives,…
Early Morning at Pueblo del Arroyo
Pueblo del Arroyo doesn’t get the attention it would get if it was a little further away from other well-preserved Chacoan great houses in Chaco Culture National Historical Park, like Pueblo Bonito. But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth a…
The Beautiful Water & Wildflowers of Cracker Lake
I almost didn’t hike to Cracker Lake high in a mountain canyon above Many Glacier in Glacier National Park, Montana. It seemed like such a long hike. Friends told me there was a long section of forest. And at the…
The Best Day Hikes in Chiricahua National Monument
The first time we visited Chiricahua National Monument, we thought we must have entered a rock-formation-wonderland. We were used to the red rocks of Utah (Bryce and Arches have long been favorite national parks), but this was a totally different…
Picking Apricots at Capitol Reef National Park
I had always heard of the orchards at Fruita in Capitol Reef National Park. Established by the Mormon pioneers in the 1880s, the settlers created a network of irrigation channels to allow not only crops to grow, but also orchards…